Europe cruise to victory #EurAsiaCup

Shah Alam, Malaysia, January 17: Team Europe romped to an emphatic 18½ to 5½ victory over Asia to secure their first win at the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM on Sunday.Match play expert Ian Poulter once again set the tone for Europe by beating Malaysia’s Danny Chia 4 & 3 in the top singles match to put some early blue scores on the board and quell any hope of an Asian fightback at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.The English duo of Lee Westwood and Andy Sullivan followed up on Poulter’s lead by beating Nicholas Fung 7 & 6 and Thongchai Jaidee 4 & 3 respectively before leaving it to compatriot Danny Willett to deliver the final blow to Team Asia’s hopes.Willett’s 3 & 1 defeat of Byeonghun An ensured Team Europe would become the first side to lift the EurAsia Cup after the inaugural event in 2014 ended in a thrilling 10-10 draw.Further victories for Matt Fitzpatrick, Chris Wood, Kristoffer Broberg, Victor Dubuisson and Søren Kjeldsen sealed a convincing win for Captain Darren Clarke’s side.Team Asia’s points came courtesy of India’s Anirban Lahiri and Korea’s K.T. Kim, who beat Shane Lowry 2 & 1 and Bernd Wiesberger 3 & 2 respectively, whilst a birdie putt on the last hole by young Jeunghun Wang ensured his match with Ross Fisher would finish in a tie.Clarke, who will also captain Europe's Ryder Cup team in September, was delighted with his team’s emphatic victory. They won the fourball and foursomes sessions 4 ½ to 1 ½ on both days before winning nine singles matches and halving one out of the 12 on the final day."The team have played fantastic this week. There have been a lot of positives. I've learnt a few things, and hopefully I'll do a better job come September,” said Clarke."But if the players don't play and don't perform, you can be the best captain in the world and you're not going to win. This belongs to the players; the quality of the golf this week has been brilliant.”Captain’s pick Poulter delivered three points for Europe from as many matches, handing Chia his only defeat in the EurAsia Cup by shooting six birdies through 15 holes. Team Europe celebrates“Danny had nothing to lose so I had to come out and play strong, and that’s what I did today. I played pretty solid, holed some decent putts and obviously made it very difficult for him,” said Poulter, Europe’s talisman in the Ryder Cup.Willett, who finished second in the Race to Dubai on the European Tour last season, was delighted to secure the win that gave Europe the unassailable lead over Asia, who never found their putting touch on the greens all week.“It’s been a fantastic week and a fantastic group of lads. We've had a good laugh, and I think to enjoy it, we've really shown Europe's true colors and European spirit and a pretty outstanding win,” said Willett.Team Asia’s captain Jeev Milkha Singh of India conceded Europe were worthy winners of the EurAsia Cup but vowed to come back stronger in the next edition of the match play event in Malaysia in 2018.“I still feel that the team was really strong, and I think they still need to keep their chin up and believe in themselves that they are the world beaters and they are going to do really well and I wish them all the success.But the experience we have gained from this, that's what we take away from here and nothing else,” said Singh.Thongchai, who was the playing captain for Asia two years ago, said Asia would bounce back in two years’ time. “Our team tried so hard. Even Jeev, he is a very good captain. But Europe had a very strong team.“I didn't play well this week and I think we try to make up in two years, we have to plan early. That's the key thing. We’ll look forward to 2018 and I think we have more experience next time and have a good chance to try to beat the European Team,” said the Thai veteran star.Friday’s Fourball Results (Team Europe first)Ian Poulter/Bernd Wiesberger bt Anirban Lahore/Jeunghun Wang 4 & 3Danny Willett/Matthew Fitzpatrick lost to Byeonghun An/Thongchai Jaidee 3 & 1Victor Dubuisson/Soren Kjeldsen and Danny Chia/Nicholas Fung halvedRoss Fisher/Kristoffer Broberg bt Prayad Marksaeng/K.T. Kim 6 & 4Shane Lowry/Andy Sullivan bt Shingo Katayama/Wu Ashun 2 & 1Saturday’s Foursomes Results (Team Europe first)Ian Poulter/Danny Willett bt Byeonghun An/Thongchai Jaidee 3 & 2Bernd Wiesberger/Ross Fisher bt K.T. Kim/Jeunghun Wang 2-upKristoffer Broberg/Chris Wood lost to S.S.P. Chawrasia/Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2-upShane Lowry/Andy Sullivan bt Prayad Marksaeng/Shingo Katayama 3 & 2Soren Kjeldsen/Victor Dubusison halved with Danny Chia/Nicholas FungLee Westwood/Matthew Fitzpatrick bt Anirban Lahiri/Wu Ashun 5 & 4Sunday’s Singles Matches (Team Europe first)Ian Poulter bt Danny Chia 4 & 3Danny Willett bt Byeonghun An 3 & 1 Victor Dubuisson of team EuropeAndy Sullivan bt Thongchai Jaidee 4 & 3Matthew Fitzpatrick bt Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2-upShane Lowry lost to Anirban Lahiri 2 & 1Bernd Wiesberger lost to K.T. Kim 3 & 2Lee Westwood bt Nicholas Fung 7 & 6Ross Fisher halved with Jeunghun WangChris Wood bt S.S.P. Chawarasia 1-upKristoffer Broberg bt Shingo Katayama 5 & 4Victor Dubuisson bt Wu Ashun 1-upSoren Kjeldsen bt Prayad Marksaeng 3 & 2About DRB-HICOMDRB-HICOM Berhad is one of Malaysia’s leading conglomerates with core businesses in the Automotive and Defence; Services; and Property, Asset & Construction sectors. With more than 90 active companies in its stable and over 60,000 employees group-wide, DRB-HICOM’s aim is to continue adding value and propelling the nation’s development. In the Automotive and Defence sector, DRB-HICOM is involved in the manufacturing, assembly and distribution of passenger and commercial vehicles, including composites component supply for aircrafts. In Services, DRB-HICOM is involved in various businesses, including concession and financial-related services. In Property, Asset & Construction, DRB-HICOM is involved in residential and commercial developments.About Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered on 5th August 2010 in Malaysia. As a non-profit organisation, PGM’s objectives are to promote the sport of golf and to contribute towards its enjoyment and growth as well as to conduct and/or coordinate training on golf-related courses in order to enhance the playing capabilities and hone the skills of professional golfers in Malaysia. Our ultimate goal is to produce good Malaysian Professional Golfers in time for the Olympics in 2016 and to see Malaysians in the world ranking list. The PGM Tour provides a platform for Malaysia’s professional golfers to enable them to focus on playing while PGM shoulders the responsibility of arranging and financing these tournaments. For further information, please log in to http://pgmtour.com.myAbout the Asian TourAs the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include FENIX Golf (Official Apparel Supplier), Fuji Xerox (Official Office Solutions Partner), Hilton Worldwide (Official Hotel Partner), Titleist (Official Web Partner) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). Sentosa, Singapore is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur. Also, visit us at www.asiantour.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf.About The European TourThe European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour's innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future. The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2016, will feature a minimum of 45 tournaments spread across five continents; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday. 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